Wednesday, 9:55am - Keiichi Maebara, after crying constantly, confessed to his alibi for Tomoki Kuroki. We thought it would be case closed.

"Kuroki tried to hurt my Shion… he was a jerk. He tried to offer a business deal with her, but then he killed her."

It wasn't, at all.

Friday barked, "Nakamura's story checks out! You said that she was arrested by us, after the incident with the cement! Why did you cover it up?"

Shiratsuru asked, "Was it because you were scared of the truth? Or was it because you saw what became of Shion?"

Keiichi was nervous, as Friday slammed her hands down. She protested that crying won't help. She yelled, "TALK! I know for a fact that you went out the backway, last night! You're hiding something, are you?"

He wept, "That's just it. I can't. Here and now, I don't wanna cause a burden on you girls. Shion's death was my fault, and that asshole shoved her down into the cement!"

Friday stated, "A likely story. Come clean! Nakamura says that he had nothing to do with Shion's death! But you had to cover up a false story to cover it up?"

Shiratsuru said, "Yuri Nakamura said that she asked Tomoki Kuroki, days after Shion's death. She trusted him, when he said that he didn't kill her. You would know something."

Keiichi growled, "Yuri Nakamura is an idiot."

Friday said, "And you smell like kerosene. Now you better tell me everything! Tonight, I'm going to the Angel Wings Nightclub, and you're staying here, NOT UNTIL we have evidence. Last Saturday, a man died, after going straight. Did you do this?"

Keiichi moaned, "I have always hated him. He tried to hurt my darling Shion… He didn't have to kill hi-!"

"USODA!" Good Friday hollered. Keiichi paused in fright, and then bowed his head.

He then confessed, "It was an accident. She didn't have to die… after an accident. The cement accident… She was running for her life. Tomoki was trying to talk to her, but she wanted nothing to do with it… and then she fell into the cement, and died…"

Shiratsuru asked, "Good, Cy, you don't think…" Friday said, "I think I know. Keiichi Maebara was a witness in Tomoki Kuroki's antics." She said to him, "Maebara, what floor was she on, when they talked?"

"We were building a bridge. She was ten feet above where the concrete was, as it was still wet." Keiichi then sighed and held his head. He sobbed, and stopped speaking.

Shiratsuru said, "Did she slip?"

He nodded, as Friday said, "We need more detail. But it seems you don't want to talk anymore. We need to know where you been, since the murder. Mr. Kuroki died at 10 after 10, last Saturday. Where were you?"

He moaned, as she said, "He was so drunk, he forgot what he did. Alright, if you won't talk, you can stay there, until then. As of now, you're a suspect for the murder of Tomoki Kuroki."

Keiichi gasped, as Shiratsuru cuffed him. Friday fixed her hair, as Tainaka called, "Friday, my office!"

XXXXX

Tainaka then said to Friday, "So, Keiichi Maebara never remembered what he did, during the time of the murder? Shabby, but serious."

Friday said, "He was depressed under despair, while intoxicated, thinking he blamed the deceased for what happened to Shion Sonozaki. Fell off of a bridge, into cement. Cause of death is unknown. Sad part is that he refused to say where he was. He's a suspect."

Tainaka stated, "The hostesses in the club, even the bar owner. They're suspects, too. I'm not buying this story, one bit. Yuri Nakamura trusted Tomoki Kuroki. The two hostesses, Stelar and Ginti, know about the poor slob. But the owner of the club… We have no leads."

Friday replied, "Chief, I'd like to go back to that club, and then ask the owner about Tomoki Kuroki."

Tainaka stated, "Absolutely not. I got a call from Miss Saion-Ji and she says that she wants you off the case, to avoid scandal."

"And?"

"I said blow you! No one tells my officers what to do, even on this beat! If you won't talk to the club owner, at the club, talk to her, by the source. See where she lives."

"Which one? Saion-Ji or Hanao?"

"Both, if any."

Friday responded, "Right. Miss Saion-Ji may be 50-50 in the club, but her story seems sketchy. Avoid publicity from the cops, to prevent any damaging sales? I say that's fair. But the murder happened at the club, outside. And we need to talk to her."

Tainaka barked, "As much as I agree to it, my answer is NO! You're not going to the club to question Miss Saion-Ji, but you should go ask Miss Hanao! Hanao is usually the co-owner of the club."

"Any idea where she lives?"

"Outside Mizaki Square, at the apartments. Three blocks next to the flower shop." She gave her the address and said, "Find Hanao… today!"

XXXXX

Wednesday, 5:15pm - We arrived at Mizaki Square, an apartment complex near Tokyo. Akari Hanao lives in Apartment 1-E. She has been watching her budget, living in a small dank apartment.

Friday stepped out and said, "Stay here, Cy. Tuesday and I will ask away."

Cy nodded, "Hm! Weave it to yer twusty Wenns-Zay!"

"Let's go." She and Shiratsuru stepped into the apartment, as they knocked on Door 1-E. Friday called, "Open the door! This is Good Friday! Police!"

The door opened, as Akari was in a white shirt and panties. She yawned, "Mmgh… Hello, officer."

Friday barked, "We're coming in! We want to ask you a few questions. And I suggest you wear pants!"

Akari blushed and moaned, "Sorry… I was drunk, yesterday, on durian tea."

5:25pm - Miss Hanao sat with me and Shira, and we talked about the death of Tomoki Kuroki.

Akari nodded and said, "Well, at the time of the murder, I was busy cleaning up the office, while Enju left to go home. You said that the murder happened at 10, right? Enju left at 11, as do I. I didn't want to stay late, because of the chaos."

"What is your relationship with Tomoki Kuroki?"

"Bad company. The guy used to come here for the service, until we were struck with a fine. Lost our liquor license, but Enju said that it was for the best. Mr. Kuroki wasn't a nice guy, and he did mouth off at the hostesses in the club, including Miss Manabe and Miss Stelar. Stelar was shaken to the core. Timid, but she's just like me."

"What was his normal habit?"

"He spends his money like water, and talks with the hostesses. I think he was tied to the railroad."

"He comes clean, leaves his favorite bar, and spends his time here. When was the last time you saw him?"

"Last weekend. Haven't heard from him, since… before the murder. But he did mouth off at Keiichi Maebara. He says that he blames him for his girlfriend's death. I believe Nodoka will tell you more, at the club."

Friday said, "Well, Enju slapped us with a ban, refusing to let publicity go bad."

Akari smiled, "Aw, that? No, she's usually shy around other people."

"Is she a tsundere?"

"I wish."

"What happened next, after the fight? Did security break it up?"

"Oh, yes. After the fight, we tossed both of them out. If they want to fight, do it outside. The thing is, Keiichi was the one that started the fight. Mr. Kuroki did play peacekeeper. But after one profanity, he socked Maebara in the eye. And the brawl went on, in the middle of the club."

Shiratsuru stated, "Sounds like Maebara did start the fight, verbally jabbing into his heart strings, thinking his kindness act was all a charade."

Friday nodded, "And he paid for it. What happened after that?"

Akari stated, "Enju banned them both. But somehow Keiichi came back in, and Enju didn't know, behind his back. Nodoka knows."

Friday said, "I will. Cy will take us to the club. But I will ask her, outside the club."

Akari agreed, "Right. Enju may have changed the rules in my club, but she's right. It's for the best. And if Keiichi Maebara shows up tonight-."

"No need. He's a suspect in the murder of Tomoki Kuroki. His story checks out."

Shiratsuru added, "He's currently at headquarters, being questioned. So far, nothing important. You can sigh in relief, knowing his time in the club is over."

Akari remarked, "Thank you. But I will come over to Nodoka's room, and give her the news. I want her story, when we get here."

Friday stated, "That's fair enough."

They departed, as Akari said, "I will tell her, once I forward this to Enju."

The police left, and Akari called Enju. She said, "Hello? It's about Nodoka. Police found out about Keiichi Maebara's freeloading."

XXXXX

Meanwhile, at the nightclub, everyone was having a nice time. One of the girls was on stage, as she was singing to the audience.

"Please welcome Mei Yachiyo!"

Mei was singing "With Arms Wide Open" from Creed, as the audience was loving it.

Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is gonna to change
I close my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open

As the song continued, Mugi was getting the refreshments. Enju approached her and asked, "Where's Nodoka?"

Mugi said, "In the dressing room. Why?"

Enju huffed off, as she answered, "Oh, you'll see."

Mugi felt worried, as she said, "My goodness… I have never seen her this angry."

Enju arrived at the dressing room, as Nodoka was brushing her hair. Enju called, "MANABE!"

Nodoka gasped, as Enju barked, "A policeman told me about what occurred, a while back. WHY was Keiichi Maebara in our club, for the past couple nights? You know better than to welcome him, after he was banned for life!"

Nodoka asked, "What do you mean?"

"The brawl! Akari told me everything, from the police! They pressed her on, saying that one of the detectives saw him there."

"Is this about Tomoki Kuroki?"

"Yes it is."

Nodoka said, "I had nothing to do with Keiichi Maebara's appearance, ma'am. I can't say, but… This guy was a drunken mess."

Enju remarked, "Well, the cops had him held up in their station. And you should, too!" She threw her coat at her and barked, "GET OUT AND STAY OUT! You have a thing for this drunken bastard?"

Nodoka cried, "WHAT? You got it all wrong!"

"I banned that stinko from this nightclub, because he caused a scene! And suddenly, he plays grab-ass to a bartender and some of my ninja hostesses? YOU let him in, and you're to blame! And because of you, someone that used to come to our club is dead!"

Nodoka sobbed, "Yeah, but… That doesn't mean that you'd have to go and fire me."

Enju barked, "The hell it does. GET OUT!" She pointed at the door. Akari arrived, as she said, "Enju, that's enough." She halted Nodoka and then hugged her, "I'm sorry… What happened last week was terrible. And what happened to Mr. Kuroki… it's so sad."

Nodoka sniffled, "I'm sorry, ma'am… I didn't mean to."

"Did you really let Mr. Maebara into the club?"

Nodoka nodded and wept, "I'm so sorry… I felt sorry for him. He was upset over the love of his life."

"And that's your excuse?" Enju roared.

"BE NICE!" Akari shouted. She said to Nodoka, "As much as I want to support your beliefs, Enju is right. Keiichi Maebara was upset that Shion died of an accident, but that doesn't mean you can let him in, after we kicked him out. You should've said so, and maybe we should've given him an intervention! Maybe it's because you were so damn upset that you let this jackass in, because of one simple death? And you feel sorry for him? YOU KNOW! You know what this asshole has done! This Kuroki man… Selling drugs to kids… Drugs to people… DRUGS! To the black market! And he says that he's clean now… only for YOU to watch and see Mr. Maebara throw a fit, and blame him for something that DRUGGIE! Didn't do!" She broke into tears and sobbed, "Well, I can accept heartbreak and sadness, but I don't accept people that try to let despair into our club! How could you?"

Akari blubbered, as Enju huffed, "Nodoka Manabe, you have to leave. Your services are no longer required."

Nodoka sniffled, "Fine…" She went to the door and barked, "But… I hope you go to hell, you big-tit bimbos!" She slammed the door and walked out of the club, through the backway.

Nodoka was crying, as she was holding herself, sniffling in sadness. She knew what she had done, and she already knew what happened, during that day. She decided to walk home, as it started to rain.

As the rain poured, Nodoka was sitting on the bench. She felt unhappy, as she lost her job. But she decided to charter a taxi and said, "To the apartments in Chofu."

She rode away, heading home.

XXXXX

Wednesday, 10:26pm - We arrived at the club, despite Miss Saion-Ji's orders, but Akari was waiting for us, in the back.

Akari told them the story, as Friday was stunned.

Miss Hanao told us that Nodoka Manabe was let go, after our chat. Realizing that it was bad publicity, she admits that she let Mr. Maebara in, despite being forbidden entry. She went home, and Miss Hanao even added that she mouthed off, before she left.

Thursday - 9:24am - Keiichi Maebara admitted it.

He said, "Nodoka let me in, yes… But… She was unhappy. She felt my pain."

Friday said, "I see. You did say that you needed closure, but… We got your entire story from the co-owner of Angel Wings Club. You were banned from the club, for life, for assault."

Keiichi moaned, "He started it."

"But the records show that it was you that started the melee. What happened after you and Mr. Kuroki fought?"

"I told you, I don't know! I had nothing to do with his murder! I have hated his guts, and I refuse to accept his new leaf in life! Shion died, because of him!"

"You're in denial. Anyways, we'll question Miss Manabe about this. She'll tell us her side of the story."

Shiratsuru rushed in and said, "Good! Bad news! It's Nodoka Manabe!"

Friday said, "Yes? Did you get her address? I'd like to ask her about her role with the man here, and-."

"Uhhhh… Have you tried the park?"

"Hau?"

"Miss Manabe is there at the park. She's dead."

They gasped, as Friday turned to him, "You…"

He gasped, "Wait, I was here, this whole time! I had nothing to do with-!"

Friday called, "Stay here! CY!" She ran out of the room, as she and Cy headed to the park.

XXXXX

The cops were examining the scene, as Hotaru was writing on her notepad. Myu & Cy rushed in, as Myu groaned, "Awwwwwwwwwwww!"

Hotaru smirked, "Snooze you lose, fam. The body was taken, this morning."

Friday asked, "What happened?"

"Same MO as Tomoki Kuroki: strangled to death. The body was discovered at around 5:15am."

Cy gasped, "We were asweep, duwing dat dime…"

Friday asked, "When did the body die?"

Hotaru said, "Forensics is under it. Victim's name was Nodoka Manabe, ex-hostess in the Angel Wings Nightclub. According to sources, she was fired, after she let Keiichi Maebara, a suspect to the Tomoki Kuroki Murder, into the club, illegally."

Friday nodded, "Miss Hanao told us everything. We were gonna talk to her about what she did, and what happened with the fight."

"Well, like, it's a drag that you missed a dead body… but unfortunately, no one else knows about the fight. I believe you have reached a dead end."

Cy asked, "Wut abou duh ninja gurl that wesembles Mew-Mew?"

Friday said, "Cy's got a point. When I first entered the club, last Sunday, the night after the murder, Maebara was flirting with this ninja hostess with my hairstyle. Suppose she knows?"

Hotaru said, "You make a strong point. So, so far, Mr. Maebara is, like, a suspect."

Friday said, "That's not all. Maebara is a suspect, but so are the hostesses, Stelar, Ginti, and that girl he flirted with. Also, the Nakamura woman, owner of the Prat Raff Bar. Maebara's a regular there, and Mr. Kuroki used to go there. Yuri Nakamura talked him into getting over his issues."

Hotaru said, "Hmm… Perhaps we totally should ask Miss Nakamura about her relations with Mr. Kuroki. I will talk to her, while YOU talk to that ninja hostess."

Hota and I went our separate ways, and we went to prepare. Hota would go speak to Nakamura, while we went to the Angel Wings Club.

XXXXX

Tainaka slammed her fists down and hollered, "FRIDAY!"

Friday gasped, "Haaaaaau…"

Tainaka yelled, "Saion-Ji called me, hours after Nodoka died! She refused to talk, but wants to press charges on you! I told her to BLOW!"

Friday said, "Hours after she was fired, Nodoka died. However, a hostess in the club knows more of Mr. Maebara and Mr. Kuroki's brawl. Inspector Kokonohi will talk to Yuri Nakamura. But we want to go to that club, for answers!"

Tainaka nodded, "Of course. Miss Saion-Ji doesn't want bad publicity in the club, fuck her! I don't care what the headlines say! We ask out, and we get to the bottom of this!"

The newspaper read out, the following morning: "Kuroki Murderer kills Club Host"

Friday, 2:35pm - Shira, Cy, & I decided to head to the club, and meet with the hostess that was flrting with Keiichi Maebara. As of now, after the news was spread, Keiichi Maebara, Yuri Nakamura, and the entire Angel Wings Nightclub personnel are all suspects to the murder of Tomoki Kuroki and Nodoka Manabe. We returned to headquarters, after the chief summoned us.

Nástenka was reporting, as she was in a black shirt, with her head tilting a bit, "Breaking News! Police are still looking for the elusive murderer that killed Tomoki Kuroki, six nights ago, in the Neon District in Tokyo. They have confirmed three main suspects in the murder of Mr. Kuroki and former hostess of the Angel Wings Nightclub, Nodoka Manabe. Autopsy showed that Manabe's body was found soaking wet, with her neck broken, marks on her neck, and her jaw dislocated. She died late Thursday, at 1:23am, in the middle of Kushino Park. Her body would be discovered later, at 5:15am.
The three main suspects are to be revealed, right now. Here is Inspector Kokonohi for details."

Hotaru said in a press conference, "We have three main suspects, thanks to the help of the Homicide Department, and its main detective, Good Friday. First, we have Yuri Nakamura, owner of the Prat Raff Bar. She was responsible for soothing his soul, after Mr. Kuroki went straight.
Second suspect is the drunken Keiichi Maebara. His history with Mr. Kuroki goes way back to the Shion Sonozaki death, months ago, during construction of the Akebara Bridge. The third suspect is Miss Enju Saion-Ji-."

The TV goes off, as Tainaka moaned, "After all that, the club is going to have a field day on this. Friday, as of now, Miss Saion-Ji's a suspect. Miss Hanao informed me that you're free to ask away, as long as you do not interfere with her business."

Friday said to her, "Yes, chief. But it's not just Saion-Ji. All the suspects are present, despite the fact that Mr. Maebara is innocent. He's being charged for murder, after what happened to Nodoka. Nakamura, Maebara, Saion-Ji. Even Hanao. She fired her, after a tearful speech, knowing what Nodoka did was wrong."

"Don't forget Ginti and Stelar. They know about Mr. Kuroki." Shiratsuru said, "And that girl, who resembles you."

Cy added, "Iz she a twin?"

"You're full of it, pint-size." Tainaka barked, "I don't want to hear this as a coincidence. For all we know that she's a suspect, too. This girl, this hostess… SHE was responsible for the whole chaos."

"No!" Friday remarked, "She saw the fight, too, I believe. That's why, after work, I will talk to her, in private, over what she witnessed, during the scuffle. Only then, we can clear Mr. Maebara's name."

Tainaka barked, "Clear his name? This guy hated Mr. Kuroki! You're defending him?"

Friday said, "I am. When Nodoka died, his alibi cleared out. He was here, locked inside his cell, all night, refusing to refute."

Shiratsuru gasped, "Then, he didn't kill Tomoki Kuroki?"

Friday said, "Maybe, maybe not. Unless of course we let him out, for a moment, and kept him in a safe place, guarded."

Tainaka said, "I wish. I had it taken care of. While you were playing detective to Miss Hanao, the other day, Mr. Maebara is safe in custody, at a local apartment, next to the station. He's not to leave his room, until the case is solved…"

Cy asked, "HUH? Why did yew do dat?"

"I couldn't stand to see him cry, any longer. He's in safe hands. But even so, you said he was here, this whole time? Unlikely."

Friday was concerned, but she said, "Then we'll get the truth from the club, right away."

Tainaka barked, "Don't make a scene, Friday! Last thing I want is another chaotic club fight!"

Friday nodded, "Trust me. I know what I'm doing." She walked out of the office.

Clear as rain, Keiichi Maebara is in hot water. At the time, we had no idea what happened to him, after we talked with Miss Hanao. He could've killed Nodoka. Or it could've been someone else. We thought for sure that the case was close to being solved, but it raised a lot of questions.

Maebara… Nakamura… Saion-Ji… Hanao… the hostesses…
One of them killed Nodoka and Kuroki. And I'm going to find out who it is.